For new graduates interested in direct marketing and face-to-face sales positions, it’s important to understand the responsibilities, skills, and workload that each role requires. These entry-level positions help young professionals build foundational skills, gain real-world experience, and learn the art of face-to-face interaction. Below is a list of 10 excellent marketing jobs for new graduates that focus on direct communication, in-person strategies, and traditional marketing practices. We’ll also explore what each role involves, what kind of skills you’ll need, the typical starting salary, and potential career paths.
1. Brand Ambassador
Overview:
Brand ambassadors represent companies at events, retail locations, and public spaces. Their goal is to promote products or services, raise brand awareness, and engage directly with consumers.
Daily Responsibilities:
- Setting up booths or product displays
- Handing out samples or promotional materials
- Answering questions about the product or brand
- Gathering customer feedback
Skills Needed:
- Strong interpersonal communication
- Outgoing personality
- Basic knowledge of the brand or product
Starting Salary:
$30,000 – $40,000 per year (often includes bonuses and commission)
Career Progression:
Brand ambassadors can move into field marketing, event coordination, or brand management roles. It’s an excellent stepping stone into higher-level promotional positions.
2. Promotional Marketing Assistant
Overview:
These entry-level roles involve helping to plan and execute in-person marketing campaigns, often at trade shows, malls, or events. It’s a hands-on position ideal for new grads.
Daily Responsibilities:
- Supporting the promotional team
- Setting up and managing event spaces
- Distributing promotional items
- Collecting consumer data and feedback
Skills Needed:
- Organizational skills
- Time management
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Starting Salary:
$32,000 – $38,000 annually
Career Progression:
With experience, assistants may move into roles like event marketing coordinator or campaign manager.
3. Field Marketing Representative
Overview:
Field marketing representatives serve as the face of a company, going out into the community to promote products or services directly to potential customers.
Daily Responsibilities:
- Conducting product demonstrations
- Visiting retail partners or distribution points
- Gathering market intelligence
- Reporting performance metrics
Skills Needed:
- Excellent communication
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Sales-focused mindset
Starting Salary:
$35,000 – $45,000 per year (often commission-based)
Career Progression:
Field reps can advance to field marketing manager, territory manager, or regional marketing roles. This is one of the more dynamic marketing jobs for new graduates seeking on-the-ground experience.
4. Door-to-Door Sales Representative
Overview:
Though it may sound old-school, door-to-door marketing is still used in industries like telecommunications, home improvement, and energy. It’s a crash course in direct selling.
Daily Responsibilities:
- Approaching households and businesses
- Delivering sales pitches
- Explaining product benefits
- Closing sales
Skills Needed:
- Resilience and persistence
- Strong persuasion skills
- Ability to handle rejection
Starting Salary:
$28,000 – $40,000 base salary (plus commissions)
Career Progression:
Successful reps often move into team lead, training, or inside sales roles. It’s a great foundation for a future in sales or customer acquisition.
5. Event Marketing Associate
Overview:
Event marketing associates help execute brand events and experiential marketing campaigns. This role offers the perfect mix of creativity, logistics, and consumer engagement.
Daily Responsibilities:
- Planning and executing brand events
- Managing vendor relationships
- Engaging with attendees
- Coordinating with marketing teams
Skills Needed:
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to multitask
- Creative problem-solving
Starting Salary:
$36,000 – $42,000 annually
Career Progression:
You can move into event planning, experiential marketing, or event strategy roles over time.
6. Retail Marketing Assistant
Overview:
This job supports in-store promotions and merchandising activities. It’s ideal for new graduates who want to work in a retail environment while learning about consumer behavior.
Daily Responsibilities:
- Coordinating promotional displays
- Tracking inventory levels
- Assisting with store events
- Working with visual merchandising teams
Skills Needed:
- Visual and spatial awareness
- Customer service
- Organizational abilities
Starting Salary:
$30,000 – $35,000 per year
Career Progression:
Assistants often transition into merchandising coordinator or retail marketing manager roles.
7. Trade Show Coordinator
Overview:
Trade shows are a staple of traditional marketing. Entry-level coordinators help manage booths, logistics, and customer interactions at industry events.
Daily Responsibilities:
- Preparing event materials
- Setting up and tearing down displays
- Speaking with potential clients
- Capturing leads
Skills Needed:
- Event coordination
- Professionalism under pressure
- Communication and follow-up
Starting Salary:
$35,000 – $43,000 annually
Career Progression:
You can move up to trade show manager, event director, or experiential marketing roles.
8. Sampling Representative
Overview:
These professionals offer free samples of food, beverages, or products in stores or at events to boost awareness and drive sales.
Daily Responsibilities:
- Preparing and serving product samples
- Talking to customers
- Collecting opinions and feedback
- Reporting results to the marketing team
Skills Needed:
- Outgoing and approachable
- Basic product knowledge
- Cleanliness and organization
Starting Salary:
$28,000 – $34,000 per year
Career Progression:
Sampling reps can grow into brand ambassador roles, field marketing, or in-store marketing management.
9. Face-to-Face Fundraiser
Overview:
This role involves approaching people in public to raise awareness and secure donations for nonprofits or causes.
Daily Responsibilities:
- Pitching charitable causes
- Engaging in persuasive conversations
- Recording donor information
- Meeting fundraising goals
Skills Needed:
- Empathy and passion
- Active listening
- Sales or negotiation skills
Starting Salary:
$30,000 – $38,000 (plus performance bonuses)
Career Progression:
Fundraisers can become campaign managers or nonprofit marketing coordinators.
10. Campus Marketing Representative
Overview:
This position is perfect for recent graduates who are still connected to their university community. Companies hire campus reps to promote products or services to student audiences.
Daily Responsibilities:
- Hosting on-campus events
- Sharing promotions on bulletin boards
- Representing the brand at student functions
- Collecting and reporting feedback
Skills Needed:
- Peer influence
- Knowledge of campus culture
- Time management
Starting Salary:
$28,000 – $36,000 per year
Career Progression:
Campus reps often transition into full-time field marketing or youth brand marketing positions.
Why Direct Marketing Is a Great Starting Point
These jobs may not always be glamorous, but they are highly valuable. They teach critical soft skills such as communication, persuasion, and adaptability, all of which are essential in any marketing career. Many senior marketers started in face-to-face roles and credit those experiences with shaping their ability to connect with audiences on a deeper level.
If you’re exploring marketing jobs for new graduates, don’t overlook traditional marketing paths. While digital roles dominate job boards, the best foundation often comes from real-world, people-first experiences. Plus, these jobs offer rapid learning opportunities and the potential to advance quickly for those who perform well.
Career Tips for New Graduates in Marketing
Getting started in marketing can feel like navigating a maze. Here are a few practical career tips for new graduates:
- Start with what’s available: You might not land your dream job immediately. Focus on roles that teach core marketing skills.
- Be open to commission-based roles: While these can be unpredictable, they teach you how to sell, which is a vital marketing skill.
- Use each job as a stepping stone: Learn from every role. Whether it’s a product demo or setting up an event, every task builds your resume.
- Network constantly: Direct marketing jobs often expose you to people from all walks of life. Use this to build your professional network.
- Stay persistent: Rejection is part of the process, especially in sales-related roles. Learn from every “no” and keep going.
Remember, the best marketing professionals are not just creative. They understand people. And there’s no better way to learn about people than working with them directly.
Find What Suits Your Skills and Goals Best
The marketing jobs for new graduates listed above are designed to build your confidence, sharpen your skills, and prepare you for long-term success. Whether you’re handing out samples at a trade show or pitching a product door-to-door, these roles immerse you in the real-world dynamics of marketing. If you’re looking for entry-level marketing jobs that challenge and teach in equal measure, direct marketing could be your perfect start.
For even more guidance, remember to seek out mentors, stay curious, and never stop improving. With the right mindset and a bit of hustle, your marketing career can start strong and go far.
Aventus Marketing was built to connect brands and customers through clear messaging and real conversations. We support the full go-to-market motion: from strategy and territory planning to face-to-face activation, reporting, and continuous optimization. Learn more about our sales services and marketing solutions when you book a consultation.